Start by contacting your local council to find out how young people can be involved in decision-making on issues in your area. Many authorities consult local youth councils and forums on issues involving young people.

• Gloucestershire County Council - Youth and Community Service
• Cheltenham Borough Council
• Cotswold District Council
• Forest of Dean District Council
• Gloucester City Council
• Stroud District Council
• Tewkesbury Borough Council

http://www.byc.org.uk
The British Youth Council is an independent charity run for and by young people representing their views to central and local government, political parties, pressure groups and the media.

http://www.nya.org.uk

The National Youth Agency works to improve and extend youth services and community work, enhance and demonstrate young people's participation in society. It is also involved with the Y Vote, Y Not? campaign, part of the government's initiative on turning young people on to democracy and politics.

http://www.ukyouthparliament.com
The UK Youth Parliament is composed of representatives aged between 11 and 18 from across the UK and aims to give this age group a voice which will be heeded by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people.

http://www.cypu.gov.uk
The government's Children and Youth People’s Unit - the website includes a questionnaire where you can have your say on how the government can involve young people and communicate better with them.

http://www.explore.parliament.uk
Young people's guide to Parliament and how government works.

http://www.ncb.org.uk
The National Children's Bureau is a registered charity which promotes the interests and well-being of children and supports the participation of young people in all matters affecting them.

http://www.schoolcouncils.org
School Councils UK offers advice on how you can set up your own school council, how to develop your citizenship skills and what benefits it will create for you and your school.

http://www.eypuk.com
European Youth Parliament UK is the British arm of an international, non-partisan organisation which seeks to increase young people's awareness of European issues.

http://www.crights.org.uk
The Children's Rights Alliance for England is made up of 170 organisations. It runs children’s rights projects and campaigns and promotes children’s and young people’s participation in decision-making.

http://www.londonchildrenscommissioner.
org.uk
A guide to young people's rights.

http://www.unayouth.org.uk
United Nations Association Youth campaigns for a peaceful, just, and sustainable future and aims to foster greater awareness and understanding between young people and different cultures.

http://www.youngtransnet.org.uk
Young People’s Transport Information Network aims to increase walking, cycling and the use of public transport, and includes an online survey about journeys to school.

http://www.childrens-express.org
Children's Express is an online newspaper featuring articles about issues affecting young people written by children.

http://www.youth-views-online.org.uk
Air your views online on youth issues such as discrimination, social exclusion, citizenship and more.

http://www.yourturn.net
Your Turn aims to help teenagers understand their world, to encourage them to speak out, and to change things. Covers topics such as government, economics, sport, housing, and more and is packed with real life stories and honest views of young people who have spoken out and changed things around them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/id
Learning To Be You - a BBC Education forum for children to discuss issues that concern them.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/schools/
getinvolved/
Get Involved - a BBC Education campaign encouraging students and teachers to get involved in active citizenship covering issues including diversity, human rights, crime, poverty, the environment, drugs and bullying.

http://www.article12.com
A children's rights organisation run by under 18-year-olds. It takes its title from Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child which states that "any child who is capable of forming his or her views has the right to express those views freely".

http://www.ac-grenoble.fr/yre/
Young Reporters for the Environment is an environmental education programme for secondary school students representing a network of 15 countries producing articles about environmental issues.

• Back to Something To Shout About
• How you can make a difference
• 'Why don't they listen to us?'
  - a teenager's view

Have you got things done or changed in your community by kicking up a fuss? Tell us your story - email gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk